Haunted part 7

[jasonsnene]

Title: Haunted (7/?)
Author: jasonsnene
Pairing: Angel/Xander
Rating: NC17
Warnings: M/M, angst
Beta:   carinas_carinae
Summary: Angel and Xander’s developing relationship is threatened. Will they be haunted by the outcome?


Previous Parts

Part 7:

 

When Angel woke up, he was surprised by how quiet the house was. He headed down to the main portion of the house and realized immediately that something was wrong. He could feel the latent magic in the air. Heading back upstairs, he tried his cell but couldn’t get a signal. The house phone was dead, too, and there was no power in the house. 

 

He hoped that, whatever was happening, Wesley would figure out that something was wrong when he tried to call. And he hoped he would get to talk to Xander one last time.

 

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Willow’s locator spell found Xander right away, even though his location was being shielded magically. She broke through the shields and added protection to him, sending the location to the L.A. gang. 

 

Spike, Gunn and Fred went to bring Xander back. They kept the surgeon on hand to check him out once they had him safely out of Lindsey’s hands. It didn’t take long to break Xander out as there were only two guards and Spike took them out without breaking stride. He added yet another doctor to his growing collection and dragged the man kicking and screaming behind him while Fred and Gunn helped a groggy, but conscious, Xander.

 

Wesley and Lorne interrogated the accounting manager and learned that a mage had been hired to do something at Angel’s Irish home. He didn’t know what, though, and Lorne verified his story after the accountant sang a horrific version of Tomorrow. By the time the crew returned with Xander, Wesley was in rare form and was handing out orders like a seasoned general.

 

Giles and Willow were in Galway within the hour, the benefits of having a private plane to retrieve new Slayers never more apparent to Giles.   Willow began working on the magical barrier surrounding the house while Giles passed information along to Wesley for research.

 

Wesley had everyone gather his books and head to Angel’s office. His office and suite were the least accessible and the easiest to secure. Wesley and Lorne went to work setting up a ward around the office itself.

 

Xander was starting to come around more, and as information was coming in from Willow, he grew more and more anxious about Angel. Finally, in desperation, he asked to be put under again. “Look, Wes, if I can get to him again and let him know what’s going on, it can only help. I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

 

After discussing options with Xander’s primary surgeon, Wesley agreed to try to hypnotize Xander which would allow him to interact both with Angel and the team in L.A. Within minutes, Xander was under.

 

Angel felt the shimmering that signaled Xander’s arrival and let out a sigh of relief. He’d at least get to talk to him again. Xander’s grin cheered Angel but it quickly faded into a look that he wasn’t sure how to define.

 

“Angel, I’ve got something to tell you and I’m not really sure how to put it.”

 

“Just tell me, Xander. It’ll be okay.”

 

“Well, yeah, it kind of will. ’Cause I’m not dead. I’m unconscious. It seems your buddy, Lindsey, has been scheming again.”

 

Angel’s eyes glowed and he growled. “Where are you? I’ll find a way to get to you.”

 

“No need. Spike and the gang have me and I’m safe and sound. Wes hypnotized me so I could talk to you and let you know what’s going on. Willow and Giles are outside the house now, trying to get through whatever barrier was put in place. I guess we should have listened to my gut on those contractors, right?”

 

Angel collapsed onto the bed and just stared at Xander.

 

“Come on. Say something.”

 

“You really aren’t dead, are you?”

 

“Nope. Alive and kicking. And I can’t wait to see you.”

 

The air trembled around the house and Angel tensed. 

 

“Angel, Willow’s telling Wesley that you need to get out now. She’s opened up a small doorway for you but isn’t sure how long she can hold it. See you soon.”

 

Xander shimmered away and Angel ran for the door. He was outside moments later and Willow let the barrier drop back into place. “Hey, Angel.” She smiled widely at him. “Xander’s alive!” Then she jumped in his arms and he held her for a moment. “Let’s go see him.”

 

They were on their way to the airport and on a private jet that Gunn had arranged within the hour. 

 

Los Angeles

 

Lindsey screamed into the phone when he heard that Xander had been rescued. He was assured that Angel was still trapped but knew his time was short so he immediately began packing. He should have known that he wouldn’t get far. The last thing he saw was Spike’s fist coming for his face.